December 7, 2018 6:50pm ESTDecember 7, 2018 6:50pm ESTThe Toronto Maple Leafs' assistant coach D.J. Smith created a new award over the summer for the penalty killers to pass around this season.Travis Dermott(Getty Images)

TORONTO --- A three-foot-long stick hides in the back of Travis Dermott’s dressing room stall at Scotiabank Arena and when he discusses it, the second-year Maple Leafs defenceman holds it like a badge of honour.

The stick is known as ‘Dr. Kill’.

“I think when the PK is brought up, ‘Dr. Kill’ definitely comes into conversation,” Dermott said with a grin. “I think it’s kind of good incentive, kind of fun. You take some pride and I guess going for a good run with it, getting to put your logo on it for a few games or whatever it is, is kind of cool and you want to do well for all the other guys."

What is ‘Dr. Kill’?

Most players are uncertain of its exact materials, but the belief is that it’s a broken broomstick, roughly three feet long in length, with a shaved off pointed edge. The stick is wrapped in white tape with its name, ‘Dr. Kill’ prominently written around the top with a black sharpie.

The brainchild of Maple Leafs assistant coach, D.J. Smith, who oversees the team’s penalty kill, ‘Dr. Kill’ is akin to the awkward hat or jacket handed out by the players as a ‘Player of the Game’ award.

However, ‘Dr. Kill’ is just for the Toronto penalty killers.

“[D.J.] probably thought about it the whole summer trying to come up with something and that’s what he came up with,” joked forward Kasperi Kapanen. “Obviously it’s kind of funny and it’s a good little competition for us.”

Zach Hyman was the first player to receive the award prior to the Maple Leafs season-opening win against the Montreal Canadiens in October. But since the Maple Leafs penalty kill surrendered a goal in the 3-2 overtime victory, Hyman was immediately forced to hand it over to a teammate.

“If you play PK, and you don’t let a goal in, you get your own little mark on the stick and obviously if they score, you pass it on to the next guy and it continues,” explained Kapanen. "If we’re on the PK and we don’t let any goals in, then you keep going after that and you hold on to it as long as you can."

Kapanen used his initials to mark his time with the award while Connor Brown went with his jersey number, much to his regret.

“I was one of the first guys so I didn’t get too creative. I should’ve,” commented Brown. “Next time around, I’ll do something better.”

"I think it’s attention to detail. We have some speed up front and I think it’s really important to have good sticks."@Breeze2Greeze on keys to success on the penalty kill. #TMLtalk

Entering Friday’s action, the Maple Leafs penalty kill ranks 14th overall, clicking at an 80.3 percent efficiency. The Leafs have surrendered seven goals on 35 opponent power plays at Scotiabank Arena this season. On the road, Toronto has managed to kill 29 of 36.

‘Dr. Kill’ may be new, but he replaces an old tradition held by the team.

“We used to bring a [hockey] stick in the room but instead of the hassle of bringing everyone a stick, you got the one pointer and once you go clean, you get your name on it,” Brown noted.

“It’s fun. Keeps everything light and gives you a little more incentive. At the end of the day, it’s mostly just for laughs. A big part of playing happy is playing well and playing confident.”

Frederik Gauthier is the current ‘Dr. Kill’ record holder – with a goat prominently displayed on the stick to mark his time. The forward hung on to the award for four consecutive games earlier in the season as Toronto remained perfect against Dallas, Pittsburgh, Vegas and New Jersey.

Dermott is now hot on Gauthier’s heels as the squad begins a five-game road trip in Boston on Saturday.

“I’m chasing Freddie. I think he’s at four now so I’ve got one more game to tie him. I don’t want to jinx it here,” Dermott chuckled while knocking on wood in his stall. “But I’m in overtaking territory.”

Demott wouldn’t reveal the specific marking or logo he drew on ‘Dr. Kill’ to signify his time as the keeper, but says its emblematic of what the penalty kill is all about.

“It’s just kind of being a man and bearing down on the PK,” he said. “It’s something you take big pride in, I think. Being on the PK is not all [like] the flashy power play, scoring goals, getting points. It’s blocking shots and clearing the puck out and battling hard.

“It’s something you definitely take pride in and I think my logo kind of describes that and depicts kind of bearing down and really working hard for your teammates.”